Comparison of high power solar power system concepts to other options

This paper presents a comparison of the performance, liabilities, and advantages of the photovoltaic, solar dynamic and nuclear power system concepts being developed to meet satellite power requirements in the 100 kilowatt range. With new technologies presently under development such as thin cells and multibandgap cells as well as sodium/sulfur batteries, array efficiency to the 25-30 percent range and battery charge density to 30-50 watt hours/lb should be possible. This will result in power system power density in the range of 15 to 25 watts/lb. Similarly, the SP100 system weight goal is 3000 kg for a 100 kw system, which is also 15 watts/lb. The solar dynamic systems are projected to be 15 to 33 percent efficient with thermal storage rather than batteries for eclipse operation. Weight estimates are also in the 5 to 15 watts/lb range. 10 references